Special-needs residents pitch in with wrapping fundraiser

Tiara Atkins and Tessa Ford wrap gifts for charity at The Achieve Learning Center Wednesday in an effort to collect donations for families with loved ones with special needs who work with First in Families in the tri-county area. (Alicia Banks/The Star)

-Items can be dropped off at the learning center at 1635 E. Dixon Blvd. in Shelby.

SHELBY — Bows, crisp wrapping paper and rolls of tape sat on top of a wooden table. Tessa Ford, part of The Achieve Learning Center’s activities staff, and Tiara Atkins teamed for the task at hand.

The box before was a gift for a child. It held parts complete for golfing, basketball and tee ball.

“There’s a joy in wrapping gifts and families opening them, seeing the looks on their faces,” Atkins said.

Atkins and other clients at the center have been wrapping Christmas gifts for families since after Thanksgiving. About 20 clients joined to help wrap more than 50 gifts.

Achieve serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, said Sarah Bolton, the center’s director. Achieve partnered with the Cleveland/Gaston/Lincoln county chapter of First in Families for the fundraiser. FIF’s organization assists those with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries as well, according to its website.

“They love this,” Bolton said.

The center is collecting toiletries and taking donations in exchange for lessening the holiday hassle. Donations for gently worn hats and winter coats can be left in Achieve’s care.

Soaps, toothbrushes and toothpastes filled a green box inside the center. The donated items will be given to families using FIF’s services.

Atkins and Ford smiled as a red bow decorated the corner of the gift.

“That’s my favorite part. Putting the finishing touches on the gift,” she said.